Machine tool having work feed means

ABSTRACT

A machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock extending lengthwise along a work axis having a tool spindle for carrying a tool with means mounting the spindle for movement along a first axis extending toward the work axis and a second axis at an angle to the first axis with the plane defined by the first and second axes being at an angle to the work axis, a work holder through which the bar stock extends along the work axis and which grips the bar stock during machining with means for moving the work holder and bar stock along the work axis during machining with a portion of the bar stock length exposed for machining. Mechanism associated with the work holder provides for regripping and location of the bar stock and for either indexable positioning of the bar stock about the work axis or rotation thereof. The bar stock can additionally be supported by a second work holder unit movable with the first work holder and movable relative thereto for varying the distance therebetween or, alternatively, by a steady rest unit which can grip the bar stock at either side of a machining location and provide support for the part of the bar stock at the side of the tool remote from the work holder by connection to the length of bar stock adjacent the work holder. Additionally, a third work holder can be used for additional support and positioning movement of the bar stock relative to the other two work holders. A variety of tools can be used in machining, as provided by a multispindle head or by a single spindle head in association with a tool changer. The tool changer holds a series of tools with their axes disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the tool changer and with insertion and withdrawal of a tool from the magazine being accomplished by movement of the magazine tool gripper in a direction transverse to the length of the tool. Each of the work holders has gripping jaws for the bar stock which are shaped to firmly engage the bar stock and hold it in position relative to the work holder. The drives for indexing the work holder and indexing of the tool changer are controlled by a numerical control system which selects a desired position of the work holder or tool changer, with provisions for acceleration and deceleration of the drive. The tool spindle is positively locked in position to associate a key with a keyway in the tool or an adapter associated with the tool and the mechanism for locking the spindle provides for two distinct rotatively separated locking positions for the spindle.

United States Patent Erikson [4 1 May 9, 1972 1541 MACHINE TOOL HAVING WORK FEED MEANS [72] Inventor: Carl F. Erikson, Belvidere, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation [22] Filed: July 15, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 841,772

[52] U.S. Cl ..90/2l B, 90/11 R, 90/11 A,

90/15 A, 90/21 D, 90/56, 29/26, 29/565 [51] Int. Cl ..B23c 9/00, B23q 41/00 [58] FieldofSearch ..90/2l. 15,20,215, 15.1,

90/11, 163, 21.02, 21.12, 21.1, DIG. 16; 51/95 R, 95 WE, 122, 123, 231, 232, 92 R, 238 S, 238 CG", 82/25, 27, 38, 39; 29/560 Primary Examiner-Gil Weidenfeld Arrorne vHofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord 7 1 ABSTRACT A machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock extending lengthwise along a work axis having a tool spindle for carrying a tool with means mounting the spindle for movement along a first axis extending toward the work axis and a second axis at an angle to the first axis with the plane defined by the first and second axes being at an angle to the work axis,

a work holder through which the bar stock extends along the work axis and which grips the bar stock during machining with means for moving the work holder and bar stock along the work axis during machining with a portion of the bar stock length exposed for machining. Mechanism associated with the work holder provides for regripping and location of the bar stock and for either indexable positioning of the bar stock about the work axis or rotation thereof. The bar stock can additionally be supported by a second work holder unit movable with the first work holder and movable relative thereto for varying the distance therebetween or, alternatively, by a steady rest unit which can grip the bar stock at either side ofa machining location and provide support for the part of the bar stock at the side of the tool remote from the work holder by connection to the length of bar stock adjacent the work holder. Additionally, a third work holder can be used for additional support and positioning movement of the bar stock relative to the other two work holders. A variety of tools can be used in machining, as provided by a multispindle head or by a single spindle head in association with a tool changer. The tool changer holds a series of tools with their axes disposed radially of the axis of rotation of the tool changer and with insertion and withdrawal of a tool from the magazine being accomplished by movement of the magazine tool gripper in a direction transverse to the length of the tool.

Each of the work holders has gripping jaws for the bar stock which are shaped to firmly engage the bar stock and hold it in position relative to the work holder. The drives for indexing the work holder and indexing of the tool changer are controlled by a numerical control system which selects a desired position of the work holder or tool changer, with provisions for acceleration and deceleration of the drive. The tool spindle is positively locked in position to associate a key with a keyway in the tool or an adapter associated with the tool and the mechanism for locking the spindle provides for two distinct rotatively separated locking positions for the spindle.

16 Claims, 33 Drawing Figures PATENTEDM 9|972 3,661,050

SHEET on 0F 25 PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 sum us 0F 25 Km Km PATENTEDMM 9|972 9.661050 SHEET nanr 25 PATENTEDMAY 9 I912 sum 10 0F 2 saw 11 or 25 PATENTEDHAY 9 I972 lll ll lll nl Illnlllll llll'll PATENTEDMAY 9 m2 sum 12 OF 25 v PATENTEDMM 9 I972 SHEET 13 0F 25 PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 sum 1a or 25 PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 sum 15 0F 25 PATENTEDMY 9 I972 SHEET 18 or 2 PATENTEUMAY 9I972 3,661,050

sum 17 or 25 PATENTEDMAY 9I972 3,661,050

SHEET 18 [1F 25 PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 SHEET 19 [1F 25 

1. A machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock extending lengthwise along a work axis comprising, a tool spindle for carrying a tool, means mounting said spindle for movement along a first axis extending toward the work axis and a second axis at an angle to the first axis, the plane defined by the first and second axes being at an angle to said work axis, a work holder through which the bar stock extends along the work axis and including means for releasably gripping the bar stock, means for moving said work holder and bar stock along said work axiS during machining with said bar stock having a portion of its length exposed to the tool for machining, and means for advancing said bar stock relative to said work holder to position the next section of continuous stock for machining.
 2. A machine tool as defined in claim 1 including means for locating the bar stock in a predetermined position along the work axis, and means for shifting the work holder along the work axis relative to the bar stock to a controlled location to establish a new relation between the bar stock and the work holder.
 3. A machine tool as defined in claim 2 wherein said work locating means comprises a work stop movable to a plurality of positions in a plane to align with a desired portion of the bar stock, and means for moving the bar stock to a position of engagement with the work stop.
 4. A machine tool as defined in claim 3 wherein said work stop is a locator carried by the tool spindle.
 5. A machine tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said work holder includes an annular member, a pair of work gripping jaws within said member with one movable relative to the other, and a plurality of pressure transmitting members urging one jaw toward the other in a direction having both vertical and horizontal components to seat the bar stock in said jaws.
 6. In a machine tool as defined in claim 1, a member movably positioned adjacent the tool including two spaced-apart sets of rigidly interconnected jaws to engage and hold the bar stock at both sides of a tool and rigidify the bar stock during machining.
 7. A machine tool as defined in claim 1 including gripping means for holding said bar stock at a side of the tool spindle opposite said work holder whereby added support is provided during machining.
 8. A machine tool as defined in claim 7 wherein said gripping means is connected to said work holder for movement therewith.
 9. A machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock comprising, a tool spindle for carrying a tool, means mounting said spindle for movement along first and second axes during machining, a bed extending transversely to said tool spindle, a pair of spaced work holders movable along said bed and which support a length of bar stock exposed therebetween and move said bar stock along a work axis of movement extending axially of the bar stock, means mounting said work holders for movement relative to each other along said work axis to vary the spacing therebetween, and means for moving said work holders simultaneously while retaining a predetermined space therebetween.
 10. A machine tool as defined in claim 9 including means mounting each of said work holders for rotation about said work axis.
 11. A machine tool as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said work holders releasably grip the bar stock, and means including a third member movable along the work axis to advance the bar stock relative to said work holders.
 12. In a machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock extending lengthwise along a work axis comprising, a tool spindle, a work holder through which the bar stock extends along the work axis and with a portion of the bar stock exposed for machining, means for moving said work holder and bar stock about said work axis and along said work axis, and a vise means to grip said bar stock at either side of a tool extending from said tool spindle and transfer the strength of the bar stock to the part thereof which is being machined, said vise means including a frame, two sets of coacting grippers on said frame with the sets spaced apart along the work axis a sufficient distance to permit a tool to operate on the bar stock therebetween, means on said frame for moving the gripper into bar stock clamping relation, and means mounting said frame for free movement to permit movement thereof with the bar stock.
 13. In a machine tool as defined in claim 12 wherein said vise means additionally delivers a finished part to a specific area and further includes a base, a carrier membEr movable along said base toward and away from said work axis, means pivotally mounted on said carrier member and movably mounting said frame, power means for moving said carrier member, and power means for pivoting said frame relative to the carrier member.
 14. A machine tool for machining successive parts from bar stock extending lengthwise along a work axis comprising, a tool spindle for carrying a tool, means mounting said spindle for movement along a first axis extending toward the work axis and a second axis at an angle to the first axis, the plane defined by the first and second axes being at an angle to said work axis, a work holder through which the bar stock extends along the work axis to be positioned in a work zone for machining by the tool and which includes means for releasably gripping the bar stock, means for moving said bar stock and tool spindle relative to each other during machining with said bar stock having a portion of its length exposed to the tool for machining, and means for advancing said bar stock relative to said work holder to position the next section of continuous stock for machining.
 15. A machine tool as defined in claim 14 including means for locating the bar stock in a predetermined position along the work axis, and means for shifting the work holder along the work axis relative to the bar stock to a controlled location to establish a new relation between the bar stock and the work holder.
 16. A machine tool as defined in claim 14 including gripping means for holding said bar stock at a side of the tool spindle opposite said work holder whereby added support is provided during machining. 